In any project or initiative, you need to persuade and align different stakeholders and decision-makers to achieve your goals. But how can you do that effectively, especially when you face resistance, conflict, or competing interests? In this article, you will learn some practical tips and strategies to influence others and build trust and rapport, using teamwork and negotiation skills.
Before you approach any stakeholder or decision-maker, you need to understand their perspective, needs, motivations, and concerns. Research their background, role, objectives, preferences, and communication style. Identify their pain points, challenges, and opportunities. Anticipate their questions, objections, and expectations. This will help you tailor your message, tone, and approach to suit their needs and interests.
En mi opinión es una estrategia muy efectiva para lograr una comunicación efectiva y persuasiva con cualquier persona , especialmente si se trata de una persona que toma decisiones importantes.?Al conocer los antecedentes, objetivos, preferencias y estilo de comunicación de la persona,?se puede adaptar el mensaje y el tono para satisfacer sus necesidades e intereses, lo que aumenta la probabilidad de éxito en la comunicación.?Además, al anticiparse a las preguntas, objeciones y expectativas de la persona, se puede estar mejor preparado para responder y persuadir de manera efectiva.
In my opinion, while knowing the stakeholders is important, knowing your subject is also very important. Once you study the leadership style, background and role of your stakeholders, it becomes convenient to address and put across your message in the right way. Time is precious for everyone, but be thoroughly prepared especially when meeting someone in authority.
To influence others, you need to demonstrate your expertise, competence, and reliability. Show that you have done your homework, that you have relevant data and evidence to support your claims, and that you can deliver on your promises. Share your credentials, achievements, and testimonials. Highlight your value proposition and benefits. Avoid exaggerating, overselling, or making unrealistic promises.
Para influir en los demás, es necesario demostrar su experiencia, competencia y confiabilidad. La credibilidad es fundamental para influir en los demás, ya que está asociada a la confianza en las personas y en su profesión. Para proteger la credibilidad, es importante ser coherente con su comportamiento, valores y creencias, mostrando integridad. La credibilidad es el principal activo de los medios de comunicacion, y protegerla es clave para su supervivencia
Influencing is not just about presenting facts and figures, but also about creating an emotional connection and trust with your audience. Use active listening, empathy, and feedback to show that you care about their opinions, feelings, and needs. Use positive body language, eye contact, and gestures to convey confidence, openness, and respect. Use humor, stories, and anecdotes to engage and relate to your audience.
There are several techniques and frameworks that can help you persuade others to accept your ideas, proposals, or requests, such as Cialdini's six principles of persuasion, the AIDA model, and Monroe's motivated sequence. These methods can be used to craft your message, structure your argument, and appeal to your audience's logic, emotions, and values. For example, Cialdini's six principles of persuasion include reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. The AIDA model focuses on attention, interest, desire, and action. And Monroe's motivated sequence involves attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action. Utilizing these tactics can help you effectively get your point across.
Sometimes influencing is not enough to get what you want, and you need to negotiate and compromise with your stakeholders and decision-makers. Negotiation is a process of finding a mutually acceptable solution to a problem or conflict. To be successful, you should prepare your goals, priorities, alternatives, and best and worst outcomes. Additionally, explore the interests, needs, and positions of the other party while communicating clearly, respectfully, and assertively. Generate and evaluate options and trade-offs before reaching an agreement. Compromise is a way of resolving a dispute by making concessions or giving up something in exchange for something else. To effectively compromise, focus on the common ground and shared goals while being flexible and willing to adapt. Acknowledge the other party's perspective and concerns while offering and asking for concessions that are fair and reasonable. Above all else, maintain a positive and cooperative attitude throughout the process.
After influencing, persuading, or negotiating with your stakeholders and decision-makers, it is important to follow up and maintain relationships with them. This will help guarantee that the agreement is implemented, expectations are met, and trust and rapport are sustained. To do this, you should confirm the details and outcomes of the interaction in writing, fulfill your commitments and responsibilities, provide updates, feedback, and support as needed, recognize the other party's contributions and efforts, and seek out opportunities for further collaboration and improvement.